February 27, 2011

Right now it's 4:00 and the building is about to be cleared. You can watch the live stream here. [UPDATE: Off line now.]

Fisheying the protest yesterday:

ADDED: We should have our own pictures from the scene in a little while.

AND: Meade brought home the video, handed me the cameras, and said "I almost got myself arrested." He's out shoveling snow, while I'm uploading the video to see what he was talking about.

MORE: I've seen and edited the video. I'm just processing it out of iMovie and into YouTube. It's funny the second time you watch it! It looks like a Michael Moore-like thing... attempting to get past the police into the building. Actually, he's doing what I did yesterday, which worked to get us both right in.

ALSO: Based on Meade's interview with Dane County Sheriff deputies, I don't think anyone will be arrested. The people who don't opt to leave will be left alone, except to the extent that the cleaning crew will be working around them.

It's cruel to a child to take him to a protest and have them participate even if the kid wants to participate. Let a kid be a kid for God's sake. Unless you want your kid to end up like Jeremy or Ritmo.

Finally, the worm is about to fully turn. When the police start hand cuffing and removing the shrieking leftists - posturing and exhibiting themselves on camera - the event goes full Wellstone. I can't wait for the truth to be fully exposed. I just hope Althouse is there with her camera, since the media apparatchiks won't cover it.

Where can I view the arrest reports online? I want to do a little tally of out-of-state protesters versus Wisconsin residents that get arrested today for not leaving as directed. I want to know how many out-of-state folks think they have any skin in this particular game.

People searching for something bigger than themselves. Comparing this to Cairo or, frankly, any other struggle in the world right now, is like complaining to a blind person about having to wear contacts.

I have no idea how one's Constitutional rights have anything to do with sleepovers, crock pots and violating DOA rules that prohibit posting signs on Capitol walls. The leniency granted them by the DOA during the "democratic occupation" (again, an ill-used reference to the Israeli-Palestine conflict) has confused and frustrated me.

People searching for something bigger than themselves. Comparing this to Cairo or, frankly, any other struggle in the world right now, is like complaining to a blind person about having to wear contacts.

But Scott Walker has a baseball bat!! He briefly considered planting a troublemaker in the crowd!! /hystericalliberal

I think I heard the announcer say on the live video say at about 5:17 ET that the protestors had an agreement with the cops to leave at 4:00 CT and now it appears the protestors have broken that agreement.

Did anyone else hear that?

I don't want to spread unsubstantiated rumours, but it's important if true.

I now suspect that's mostly it. One event after another that strikes me, at least, as being so tone deaf as to make one's jaw flop open: Jess Jackson, a tour of the occupied (& debased) Capitol by a giddy UW undergrad, Peter Yarrow (Peter Yarrow?!).

Yesterday, I wrote “Unbelievable!” because it was the first word that came to mind. After further reflection...

The hilarious thing is that the young people happily protesting are cutting their own throats - if the government unions win this, not only will the quality of governmental services decline, but the only people who will benefit are people who are already entrenched union members. I mean, it's not as if governmental organizations are going to be hiring if pay and benefits keep going up for government workers, and if there are layoffs, they will be done in strict seniority - i.e. young people will get the shaft.

But keep protesting so a bunch of old white people can enjoy huge pensions, kids!

As much as they annoy me, I hope they don't. (public safety issue) If they shut the lights off on a pile of aging hippies, someone's aging hip is going to get broken, and it will all be the fault of the fascist-dictator-police-state Walker!

If I had to guess, these people will be moved out at 3:00 AM. There's an advantage to do this at a very late hour. Even the die hards will be fast asleep. And, any "rescue buses" would stick out like sore thumbs. Plus, the media will be gone.

After that, though, you're going to need the National Guard posted around the building. So, you only come in when you have a PASS hanging around your neck.

I see one of the poor oppressed workers has an iPhone with which he is photographing the so-called "dancers". Poor guy. Maybe it's only one of the 16GB ones, and he won't be able to get a 32GB one because of Scott Walker.

What bothers me the most is how this protest has been twisted and been made out as a noble fight. Public Employees are paid by taxes. Taxes are compulsury, not voluntary. If you don't pay your taxes you may have wages garnished, lose your property or go to jail. This simple fact seems to have been forgotten.

The economy has changed, it is now Global, and adjustments, many not pleasant, HAVE to be made. The Politicians, in order to garner votes, made unrealistic promises to Public Employees that could NEVER be met.

The power to tax is the power to destroy. Those who wield that power must use it carefully. Taxation has become a destructive Juggernaut that is eliminating all private business from the State. We are now locked in a debt death spiral, and tax hell. Last one to leave turn off the lights. Let the Public Employees fight in the dark.

"A buddy in Madison has stated that the Capitol Police are not getting any cooperation from local police. The local police in Madison refuses to bring numerous vehicles to transport close to 800 protestors whom refuse to leave the building. The capitol police are contacting the governor to see how he wants to proceed. This is from a buddy that lives in madison, generally a reliable contact."

This appears to be credible, as CNN just reported that the police will not arrest anyone, and will instead "talk person to person to convince them to leave, and are prepared to stay all night if need be", according to the police chief.

Become a Fan Get Email Alerts from this BloggerBen Brandzel is a leading international practitioner, trainer and writer in the field of progressive online organizing. Currently the Director of Incubation and International Programs at Citizen Engagement Labs, he's served as Advocacy Director for MoveOn.org and Director of New Media Campaigns and Fundraising for Barack Obama's Organizing for America. He's a founding board member of Avaaz.org and the UK's 38 Degrees.org.uk. His writing has appeared in the American Prospect and The Nation magazines. Ben is an avid biker and lives in Berkeley and Washington DC.

Madison Police sent a letter to the governor stating they will not remove the protesters.

They should be given the choice - do your job, or be fired. Period.

Another reason why public sector unions are a real bad idea. When the cops won't do their jobs because they are politically sympathetic, is one step from enforcing the law only against those they disagree with politically.

Somewhere around 2000 when a bunch of protestors came to DC to protest the world bank, they actually made a deal with the police, who let them cross a line just because they wanted to get arrested (they could not have gotten across the line if the police hadn't let them, because the police in dc are good at that kind of thing). I thought it was hilarious.

Hey Jan...so when ObamaCare Cops force me to buy health insurance that I do not want, I'll just refuse... because in the end breaking the law/rules is the same as running away from your sworn oaths and duties which is also the same as filibustering... and as far as you heard, a Republican did that once, so it's bad.

Nice. Civics is not those things you find at a Honda dealership, dear.

“… Meticulous attention should be paid to the special relationships and obligations of public servants to the public itself and to the government. All Government employees should realize that the process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into the public service. It has its distinct and insurmountable limitations … The very nature and purposes of Government make it impossible for … officials … to bind the employer … The employer is the whole people, who speak by means of laws enacted by their representatives …“Particularly, I want to emphasize my conviction that militant tactics have no place in the functions of any organization of government employees. Upon employees in the federal service rests the obligation to serve the whole people … This obligation is paramount … A strike of public employees manifests nothing less than an intent … to prevent or obstruct … Government … Such action, looking toward the paralysis of Government … is unthinkable and intolerable.”

This opened up the floodgates around the country as other Democratic legislators followed Wagner’s lead. In 1959, Wisconsin became the first state to enact public employee collective bargaining laws. President John F. Kennedy then followed with an executive order granting federal employees the right to bargain collectively. As journalist Roger Lowenstein wrote in his recent book detailing the explosion of government pension debt, “Membership in public unions rose exponentially.”

Via live stream - they just announced that the protestors can stay the night.

This is not going to end well - if I were Walker, I would be thinking in the short run what the next steps are if the Madison police aren't going to cooperate; and in the longer run, what actions are going to be taken by the state in response to this.

When the local police won't enforce the law against selected groups, we're back to the Jim Crow South again, aren't we?

Except this time it's from the Left.

This is really a bad, bad idea for the unions. If you want to scare the hell out of some middle-class soul, demonstrate to him that if he crosses the wrong political line --- ooops! no more police for you!

The Left thinks this is Thermopylae. It's not. It's Guadalcanal, and they're the Japanese.

"dippy broad", "ignorant people", "silly clown" - I didn't call anyone names, but it is the first thing you resort to. Is that because you don't have facts on your side?

I did not say that the filibuster and walking out of the assembly were the same things. Try to slowly read my words...IN THE END, there is no difference. Let me explain what that means - When all is said in done, when the dust finally clears, when the lights go out, when the cows come home (get it yet) the Republicans kept the Congress from enacting legislation.

As for what they filibustered...try this thing called Google, then settle back for a lot of reading.

So, I don't get it... the police can do what they want to do, they don't actually have to enforce the law any longer, based on their political affiliations? So has the POLICE STATE that the lefties have been barking about finally arrived?

I mean, the group of government employees that we pay and arm and give the authority to actually, physically deprive citizens of their liberty and their lives now refuses to follow orders and enforce the law, because it runs counter to the whims of their political affiliation? And this is somehow acceptable? I mean, we're just going to let it happen?

Well think of all the businesses getting all of that out of town money from the SIEU brothers and sisters being trucked in. I'm hoping they hang around long enough to watch the rolling layoffs start this Friday.

If, however, Madison police and other sworn officers refuse to uphold the rule of law, they should be prosecuted and/or be subjected to the personnel procedures pertaining to such behaviors. If the municipal Madison authorities will not or cannot handle these problems, I'm sure that the state Attorney General has some jurisdiction. There must be some laws pertaining to anarchy. Ms. Althouse can doubtless clear up any uncertainty on these matters.

I am a resident of Wisconsin and am tired of the leftists making a mockery of civil society. In other respects, however, Wisconsin has, in the past (NOT NOW) behaved like a police state in prosecuting those who may have been guilty of pathetically minimal "crimes."

It is my understanding that the Capitol can be closed when there is no session. If the police won't do their jobs, then what chance does the taxpayer in Wisconsin have against a union leviathan that will continue to donate to the campaigns of politicians that will fund their largess?

Governor Walker needs to give direct orders to the Sheriff's department; clear the Capitol. If those officers refuse to enforce a legal order, FIRE THEM NOW. Arrest those who refuse to leave. Call in judges to set bail for these overgrown hippies who have no respect for the law or for taxpayers.

The difference is that with the filibuster the Republicans were doing their job at the place they were sent to do their job. Their highest duty is to the people who elected them to the office and that is what they were doing. The Dems fleeing the state were doing anything but their duty and in fact are threatening to keep on not doing their duty until they get their way no matter what. Big difference.

@Jan... you're not going to be taken too seriously until you can actually produce evidence that something was actually filibustered. None of the major legislation was actually blocked. And I realize you're a leftist, therefore the ends justify the means, but many non-leftists do believe that playing by the rules is important (and filibuster vs cloture is one of those rules).

After a quick google search of my own, I'm forced to come to a conclusion. You apparently don't realize there's a difference between delaying using the filibuster, and killing a bill with a filibuster.

I mean, don't you just feel safer entrusting your life and liberty to armed men who only enforce laws and carry out lawful orders when it suits their political proclivities? I mean, imagine if you were a prominent Republican or libertarian and you were being robbed or your house was on fire. Wouldn't you feel better knowing that the Dane County police and fire departments were on duty?!

It may be as it is in Calif where the Governor has no direct power over individual sheriff's depts. What usually exists are various "mutual aid" agreements. If the local agency renigs on the agreement, there may be civil repercussions, to say nothing of the financial & material aid given to locals by the state (which should then stop).

If the Capital Police can't handle the problem and local agencies won't assist, then National Guard is the alternative.

"Jan: I did not say that the filibuster and walking out of the assembly were the same things. Try to slowly read my words...IN THE END, there is no difference

Yes, its such a brilliant remark. Like saying that being murdered by a thug and being executed by the State are no different."

Yes...if we are looking at the act, being murdered by the state is definitely different than being murdered by a thug. However, my point was that I was talking about the END...you know, the part where you are dead, and how you got to that condition doesn't matter much at that point.

To all those wondering what legislation was not passed...an actual filibuster does not have to occur to wield the power of a filibuster - a word in the hall from McConnell to Harry Reid that a filibuster will occur is no different (in the end) to an actual filibuster. As for the legislation that I would have liked to have seen passed...well, let's use the words of Red State - "They (the Democrats) are angry that they could not railroad through the Senate legislation imposing Card Check, a Public Option for ObamaCare and Climate Change."

And I'm sure that the Madison Police will extend an equally warm welcome to all the right-to-lifers in the oh-so-Catholic Midwest who show up to occupy the capital on the next anniversary of Roe v Wade.

Shit, Wis. might as well just start renting the place out, because now if every aggrieved group of assholes on the planet don't get equal occupancy rights, Wisconsin gets taken to court.

Jan: However, my point was that I was talking about the END...you know, the part where you are dead, and how you got to that condition doesn't matter much at that point.

I don't believe that was your point. I think you were trying to say fleeing the capitol to thwart the democratic process is no worse than a fillibuster. Thats a lie, no matter how many convoluted arguments you use to get there.

Now, if I've misread you, its an easy fix for you to go on the record saying that fleeing the capitol is not equivalent to a fillibuster...

"Jan: However, my point was that I was talking about the END...you know, the part where you are dead, and how you got to that condition doesn't matter much at that point.

I don't believe that was your point. I think you were trying to say fleeing the capitol to thwart the democratic process is no worse than a fillibuster. Thats a lie, no matter how many convoluted arguments you use to get there."

First of all, the next time I want to know what it is I'm thinking, I guess I will ask you, since you say you know my thoughts better than I do.

However, if you look at my original post on this matter, you will see that I said "the end" right at the start.

And, Fen, IN THE END, fleeing the capital is the same as a filibuster because it means that legislation does not get passed.

When I was younger, I predicted that eventually we'd see the government collapse -- entrenched interests won't permit change, and our current course is unsustainable. You can't live on your credit card forever.

Jan: First of all, the next time I want to know what it is I'm thinking, I guess I will ask you, since you say you know my thoughts better than I do.

We both know what game you're playing. You're trying to draw equivalence between a filibuster and fleeing the capitol to thwart a democratic vote, to excuse the latter. You can dress it up however you want, its still bullshit.

However, if you look at my original post on this matter, you will see that I said "the end" right at the start. And, Fen, IN THE END, fleeing the capital is the same as a filibuster because it means that legislation does not get passed.

Yes, you put a nice little bow in it. Its still a bullshit attempt at equivalence. As evidence, I point to the fact that I gave you the opportunity to clarify - to explain that despite THE END result, running away is worse than a filibuster. You took a pass.

This is the very thing that conservatives have been railing against for decades. The now shameless takeover by leftards of the entire political structure from the fed down to the state level. It is now clear that the police are siding with their fellow leftard union stooges to protect these public employee parasites because they see their special interests dovetail with each other and yet we are told that this is what democracy looks like? A vapid, sanctimonious, entitled publicly funded protected class, who are being asked to share sacrifice along with their private sector brethren and shriek in unison NO!!!

And yet conservatives are the ones that are branded as Nazi's, racists, bigots, homophobes, anti-union, religious zealots who have to endure the constant demonization by the leftards that we conservatives are trying to usurp their rights to collectively bargain while they literally take over the public square of speech and representation while having POTUS endorsement and those we expect to protect and serve literally do that but for their own selfish special interests?

Frankly, the question needs to be asked, when will conservatives stop taking a passive aggressive stance to watch these leftards trample over anything resembling democracy or a constitutional representative republic only for themselves while shutting out everyone else. Politicians have given these parasites the keys to the kingdom because it ISN'T THEIR MONEY and they have zero accountability or responsibility for the deals that they have made in states across the country for decades to these public employee union parasites while the rest of the private sector funds these parasites to their own detriment.

And when these parasites are asked to contribute in 'shared sacrifice' they scream NO!!! while they dig in their fangs even deeper into the body politic host to sap even more from the rest of us that have had zero say so in how these public union parasites can use our tax dollars for their own personal and political benefits. They use our money to fund themselves and give themselves heightened special interest access for their own special interests within politics and we do not get a say so. This isn't wealth redistribution, this is clear and unadulterated theft and they laugh in our faces about it further doom troop their boots into the necks of the private sector.

How much more are we going to endure to the insane demands of these public employee union parasites? The founders are weeping at what they see as their lives, thoughts, and blood wasted at what has become of their Constitutional Republic. Franklin was right, we can't keep it. We can't even pay for it.

Watch how fast the place gets cleaned up once the weather breaks, Spring comes, and these officers are more interested in being outside than inside collecting the generous overtime and being entertained by these liberal hippies...

When I was younger, I predicted that eventually we'd see the government collapse -- entrenched interests won't permit change, and our current course is unsustainable. You can't live on your credit card forever.

I got older, and realized things weren't all that bad.

Now I'm older still and wondering if I had it right the first time.

I kind of had the same sentiment as you did, but now that I'm older, I can clearly see the divide of your younger inclination as it manifests itself today. This isn't going to get better and the seeds of distrust have been planted and are now growing in the chasm between the left and the right. The right will prevail, but the pain involved to get there will be great. The problem is that leftard parasites won't pop themselves off the host body. They can't and I really think they do not know how.

As always, they're citing the WI Constitution as an authority to justify their actions. But anyone can tell that it says the LEGISLATURE can't shut down the capitol. It doesn't ban the governor from shutting it down!

>Article I, §4 Right to assemble and petition. Section 4. The right of the people peaceably to assemble, to consult for the common good, and to petition the government, or any department thereof, shall never be abridged.

Oops, I forgot to read the original section of the Constitution. Maybe they do have that right. Please ignore my comment above.